Essity awarded contract by NASA

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 10, 2018 – Essity announced today that it has been awarded a contract by NASA to design the next-generation JOBST® compression orthostatic intolerance garment (OIG) for potential use on future Orion human deep-space missions. Post-spaceflight orthostatic intolerance is the inability to stand upright without experiencing a rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, lightheadedness or feeling faint upon return to Earth.

Essity first collaborated with NASA’s Cardiovascular and Vision Laboratory at Johnson Space Center to develop a specialized three-piece JOBST gradient compression garment (GCG) that was tested for its ability to protect against post-spaceflight orthostatic intolerance in astronauts following two-week Space Shuttle missions. More recently, the JOBST garments have been tested in astronauts returning from four-to-six month stays on the International Space Station as part of the joint NASA-Russian Field Test Study, and preliminary study results to date have been promising. As a result, NASA contracted with Essity to leverage the existing JOBST three-piece GCG and design a next-generation garment that would provide protection against post-spaceflight orthostatic hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure) and presyncope (lightheadedness, blurred vision and feeling faint).

The JOBST OIG will be custom-fit to each astronaut and provide graduated compression from the foot to the waist. The provided pressure will assist in preventing blood from pooling in the lower extremities upon return to gravity (1-g conditions) following spaceflight. Astronauts on the Orion missions will put on the JOBST garments while still in space and wear them under the OCSS flight suit until the crew returns to Earth from their deep-space mission.

The first Orion human spaceflight mission is slated for launch by 2023 during which four astronauts will fly for up to a 21-day mission beyond low Earth orbit.

“We are extremely honored to be awarded this important contract by NASA to develop the next generation compression OIG for astronauts taking part in the Orion deep-space missions,” said Tyler Palmer, vice president of sales for Wound Care and Vascular USA at Essity. “We have an exceptional team of engineers dedicated to developing a superior, protective OIG designed to be easy to put on in space and comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.

“Our gradient compression garments have been shown to alleviate post-spaceflight orthostatic intolerance in ongoing studies,” continued Palmer. “The efficacy of the JOBST three-piece compression garments was first demonstrated in astronauts after two-week Space Shuttle missions, and the positive results were published in Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicinei.”

NASA’s collaboration with Essity and the development of customized JOBST garments may also help the general population overcome issues similar to orthostatic intolerance such as POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), a disease that affects the autonomic nervous system. People with POTS have an increase in heart rate and lightheadedness when standing up, which can cause them to faint or experience severe dizziness, fatigue and exercise intolerance.

Effects of Space Travel on Human Body

Upon entering the weightless environment of space, an astronaut’s blood moves upwards from their legs to the upper body and head, and blood volume decreases in the first 24 hours of space flight. When they re-enter Earth’s gravity and land, blood moves back towards their lower body and the body’s mechanisms to return blood back to the heart are not as effective. Recovery from the effects of space flight can take several days to weeks depending on the length of the mission and the individual astronaut. Orthostatic intolerance can persist for several days after landingii.

About JOBST

JOBST aims to improve the quality of life for those suffering from venous and lymphatic diseases. It provides a number of compression garments designed to offer highly effective, therapeutic compression for the management of diseases including varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, chronic venous insufficiency, peripheral edema and lymphedema. This includes the extensive JOBST product range, which comprises ready-to-wear, custom-fit, circular-knit and flat-knit garments for the upper and lower limbs.

About Essity

Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company dedicated to improving well-being through our products and solutions, essentials for everyday life. The name Essity stems from the words essentials and necessities. Our sustainable business model creates value for people and nature. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands, such as Jobst, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, Vinda and Zewa. Essity has about 48,000 employees and net sales in 2017 amounted to approximately SEK 109bn (EUR 11.3bn). The headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and the company is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.

Browse JOBST Products

Want to see how JOBST® technologies are incorporated to produce world class compression garments? Visit our online catalog to browse the full line of JOBST compression products for management of edema, venous and lymphatic disease.